At the age of 12, Nguyen Phuc Long discovered his passion for billiards, a sport not widely accepted at the time. He started playing in small local parlors and soon realized its potential as a long-term pursuit with dedicated training.

Nguyen Phuc Long signs autographs for students at Aptech 285 Doi Can and 19 Le Thanh Nghi. Photo: Aptech

Nguyen Phuc Long signs autographs for students at Aptech 285 Doi Can and 19 Le Thanh Nghi. Photo: Aptech

The pinnacle of his billiards career was winning the gold medal at the 2009 SEA Games 25. He recalls it as a fortunate win due to his opponent's error. However, the victory boosted his confidence and exposed him to the advanced preparation and analytical technology used by international athletes, inspiring him to strive for more.

This motivated him to further his athletic career and continuously learn, aiming to create products to support Vietnamese athletes. After years dedicated to billiards, now in his 40s, he decided to study programming. His goal is to develop a data management system for billiards clubs and create a video library for technical analysis.

Earlier this year, Long enrolled in a one-year software programming course at Aptech in Doi Can, Hanoi. "Studying with younger students and working on projects feels like I'm 12 again, but instead of holding a cue, I'm typing on a keyboard," he said.

For Long, programming is more than just writing code; it's about understanding a system's mechanics from inception to operation. This knowledge helps him combine technology with sports.

His athletic background helps him adapt to the tech world. "A good athlete needs daily training, discipline, and good habits. Programmers are the same; they must constantly learn and practice," he compares.

He believes habits like waking up early, exercising, reading, and learning programming languages are key to maintaining perseverance. He emphasizes that AI and technology are merely tools. Without discipline, technology can lead to dependence, but if mastered, it offers significant self-development opportunities.

Long acknowledges that today's youth have more advantages than previous generations. Accessing resources, watching tutorials, or following sports idols is just a few clicks away. However, this comes with the risk of distraction.

"Gen Z can get caught up in social media and neglect real skill development. Technology is a means, not a solution," he advises.

Currently, Nguyen Phuc Long continues his programming studies and explores tech projects at Aptech Vietnam. He considers this a restart, focusing on self-improvement and data management before expanding to broader applications for the community.

Lan Anh